A Great Venn Diagram Making Tool for Teachers - Kang Khoe

November 30, 2016
Venn Diagram Maker is a good web tool from Lucidchart that allows you to easily create and share Venn diagrams. The process is very simple and no software download is required. Using an intuitive interface with drag and drop editor, you can easily get started creating your diagrams right away. For instance, ‘line drawing is as easy as dragging from the edge of an object. Let go and a new shape instantly pops up.’ You can customize your diagrams the way you want: adjust the size of the circle, add colour and context and many more.

 More importantly, Venn Maker supports collaborative diagramming enabling you to comment and engage in conversations with your collaborators in realtime. You can also make use of Venn diagram templates and choose the ones that work for you and then edit and add your own content. Once you are done, you can save your work as an image or export it as a printable Venn diagram. ‘Lucidchart offers free accounts to students and teachers with our Lucidchart for Education program. Introduce your whole classroom to our online Venn diagram software to make learning faster and more fun, without worrying about cost!’

Check this resource to learn more about Venn Diagram.

Here Is A Wonderful Google Drive Template for Creating Students Certificates - Kang Khoe

November 30 , 2016
A few days ago one of our readers here in EdTech and mLearning emailed us asking about suggestions on creating students certificates. Our best recommendation is this handy template from Slides new template gallery. Of course, there are several other options to use to create students certificates including, Google Docs, Google Drawing, PiktoChart, Canva, Microsoft Word to name a few but most of these options require you to start building a template for your certificate from scratch. With this template, the designing work has already been done for you and all you have to do is some minor tweaking (e.g. editing and adding your own textual data) before sharing it with others either digitally or through print.

The layout of this template is pretty basic. It consists of a title, student name, a short description, school name, teacher’s name and date. To start using this template, you need to head over to Slides  gallery and click on 'More' on top right hand side and scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will find a template named  'Student Certificate' located under 'Education' category. Once you find it click on it to create a copy in your Google Drive where you can start editing it. You can change the theme of the template by selecting one of the suggested themes on the right hand side. When you are done editing, you can download it in different formats (e.g PNG, PDF), print or share it through a generated link.

New Bloom's Digital Taxonomy Poster for Teachers - Kang Khoe

November 29, 2016
After posting about Bloom's Digital Taxonomy Verbs we received a number of emails from teachers inquiring about iPad apps aligned with this taxonomy.  The Bloom's Digital Taxonomy Cheat sheet we posted awhile ago does feature a collection of educational apps for both iOS and Android (and the web), however, we went ahead and created this visual incorporating some of what we think are the best apps and tools aligned with each of the thinking levels of Bloom's digital taxonomy. Of course our selection is subjective and based entirely on our previous reviews of these apps and we are very much aware that there are several other great web tools and apps that can fit in this pyramid but due to practical limitations we only featured representative samples in each category.

This poster is available for free download in PDF format from this link.

 As the creators of this visual, we do grant you the permission to use, print, download, and re-post this work as you see fit as long as you use it only for educational purposes and include a link to our blog.

8 Great Guides to Help You Effectively Integrate Technology in Your Teaching - Kang Khoe

November 29, 2016
Technology has become an indispensable component in teachers toolkit and its potential to transform learning and teaching is considerably huge. The massive uptake of web technologies and the Internet has tremendously impacted the long-standing notion of education opening thus new horizons for learning and empowering both teachers and students with the tools and know-how necessary for an effective teaching/learning. In today's post we have meticulously selected for you 8 excellent books you might want to read in the upcoming school break. These are handy guides to help you better integrate technology in your instruction. They provide you with a treasure trove of ideas, tips, resources , sample activities, lesson plans and several other materials to make technology integration in classroom a seamless process. Check them out and share with us your feedback. Enjoy

1- The Classroom Teacher's Technology Survival Guide 1st Edition, by Doug Johnson  (Author)

‘This is a must-have resource for all K-12 teachers and administrators who want to really make the best use of available technologies. Written by Doug Johnson, an expert in educational technology, The Classroom Teacher's Technology Survival Guide is replete with practical tips teachers can easily use to engage their students and make their classrooms places where both students and teachers will enjoy learning.’

2- Language Learning with Technology: Ideas for Integrating Technology in the Classroom , by Graham Stanley  (Author)

‘Language Learning with Technology is for teachers interested in integrating technology into their classroom practice. The book contains 150 classroom activities for beginner to advanced level learners, incorporating a wide range of up-to-date technologies, such as mobile technologies and social networking. It puts pedagogy first, with the content organised around areas of language learning rather than technology types.’

3- Integrating Technology in the Classroom: Tools to Meet the Need of Every Student 
by Boni Hamilton (Author), International Society for Technology In Education (Author)

‘In Integrating Technology in the Classroom, author Boni Hamilton helps you discover technology tools and projects that resonate with your teaching style, classroom context and technology skill level all while helping students achieve academic growth. In this book, every teacher can find new and immediately applicable ways to integrate technology in the classroom. Discover hundreds of tools and activities that support collaborative, student-centered learning, presented in order of complexity and difficulty to help you to build confidence and skills in each area.’

4- Using Technology with Classroom Instruction That Works, by Howard Pitler  (Author), Elizabeth R. Hubbell (Author), and Matt Kuhn (Author)

‘Technology is ubiquitous, and its potential to transform learning is immense. The first edition of Using Technology with Classroom Instruction That Works answered some vital questions about 21st century teaching and learning: What are the best ways to incorporate technology into the curriculum? What kinds of technology will best support particular learning tasks and objectives? How does a teacher ensure that technology use will enhance instruction rather than distract from it? This revised and updated second edition of that best-selling book provides fresh answers to these critical questions, taking into account the enormous technological advances that have occurred since the first edition was published, including the proliferation of social networks, mobile devices, and web-based multimedia tools.’

5- Integrating Technology into the Curriculum 2nd Edition (Effective Teaching in Today's Classroom) 2nd Edition

‘This updated, second edition resource provides teachers with classroom-tested ideas and resources to enhance instruction and help make the integration of technology a seamless process. Featuring standards-based lessons and topics such as distance learning and virtual school, web quests, blogs and social networking, interactive games, activities, and simulations, this resource will help you have a technologically advanced classroom in no time!’

6- Empowering Students With Technology 2nd ed. Edition by Alan C. November  (Editor)

‘Demonstrating how technology can improve school performance, this second edition of the bestseller shows how computer and Internet technologies enhance students’ critical thinking, research, and problem-solving skills; level the learning field for disadvantaged students; and open doors for children who are disabled. Offering more than 50 Web sites, plus new resources, practical lesson ideas, sample activities, more information about online learning, and real-world examples.’

7- Stratosphere: Integrating Technology, Pedagogy, and Change Knowledge 1st Edition
by Michael Fullan (Author)

‘In Stratosphere, Michael Fullan takes a close look at the fast-paced world of emerging technologies and argues that the inevitable influence of technology on teaching and learning must not be resisted, but rather embraced and applied in meaningful ways to positively impact school classrooms.’

8- Enhancing the Art & Science of Teaching With Technology (Classroom Strategies)  by Sonny Magana (Author), Robert J. Marzano (Author)

‘Successfully leverage technology to enhance classroom practices with this practical resource. The authors demonstrate the importance of educational technology, which is quickly becoming an essential component in effective teaching. Included are over 100 organized classroom strategies, vignettes that show each section's strategies in action, and a glossary of classroom-relevant technology terms. Key research is summarized and translated into classroom recommendations.’

A Must Read Interactive Guide for Teachers New to iPad - Kang Khoe

November 26, 2016
For those of you new to the world of iPad, here is a great free interactive guide from Apple Education to help you make the best of iPad in your teaching and in your professional growth. This guide is part of a series of free interactive iBooks  Apple has recently published covering a wide range of its products with the explicit purpose of helping educators and teachers effectively integrate these products and apps in their day to day teaching. Check out this section to see the guides we have reviewed so far.

iPad Starter Guide is designed specifically to help newbies master their iPad in terms of understanding the different features and tips it embeds and exploring the different ways teachers can use iPad potentialities to enhance their productivity and support their personal time-management and professional teaching needs. More specifically, this interactive guide will help you ‘learn how to navigate and personalize your device, work with built-in apps and features, and explore the world of learning and teaching resources available for iPad. Along the way, you will become more confident, pick up new skills, and get inspired to create hands-on and personalized learning experiences.’

5 Must Have Google Sheets Templates for Teachers - Kang Khoe

November 25, 2016
A few days ago we shared with you here in EdTech and mLearning a number of practical pre-designed Google Docs templates you can use in your instruction for a variety of educational purposes. Today, we spent sometime sifting through Google Sheets templates gallery and picked out the titles below. You can use these templates to create and manage schedules, to help you with your grading, to manage your class attendance, and to organize your students in group work activities.  All of these templates are available for free in the new Google Sheets gallery.  To access and use any of these templates, go to Sheets Gallery and click on 'More' on top right hand side and search for name of the template:

1- Schedule

This is a excellent template for creating and managing schedules. You only have to set the starting date and the rest of the rows will be automatically updated with the correct dates and days of the week.

2- Gradebook

This template allows you to effectively create and manage your grading system. It provides you with detailed insights on students grades and lets you view reports for individual students.

3-Attendance

This one will help you keep track of your students attendance in class. It makes use of four variables: P for present, L for late, E for excused absence, and U for unexcused absence.

4- Team Roster

Use this template in group work activities to manage members of each team.

5- To-do List

If you are looking for a simple yet effective to-do list template this one is a great option.

A Great Resource to Teach Science Through Animated Videos and Hands-on Activities - Kang Khoe

November 24, 2016
Mosa Mack is an interesting resource for science teachers and students. Mosa Mack provides students with a variety of short animated mysteries that they have to solve using knowledge gleaned from videos they watch. Mosa Mack adopts an inquiry-based approach to science learning and provides content that is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.

Mosa Mack arranges its science content into units each of which is comprised of three lessons that ‘progress upwards on Blooms Taxonomy and the the Depth of Knowledge (DOK) chart.’ The units include:
Lesson 1 The Solve: An animated science mystery and vocabulary manipulative
Lesson 2 The Make: A hands-on lab
Lesson 3 The Engineer: An engineering challenge that allows students to apply what they’ve learned to solve real world scenarios.’

Additionally, each lesson comes with a number of hands-on activities and several other materials (e.g graphic organizers, PowerPoint presentations, assessments, lesson plans…etc). ‘Mosa Mack is built for 4th through 8th grade classrooms. For differentiation within these grades, teachers are provided with an Inquiry Scale that allows the lessons to be leveled up or down depending on the class needs.’

While Mosa Mack provides a free version, the pro one contains way more features including: answer videos, songs, lesson plans, vocabulary manipulative, interactive quizzes, assessments and rubrics, graphic organizers and many more. Watch the video below to learn more about Mosa Mack: